This easy chicken tetrazzini is made with shredded rotisserie chicken and shredded cheddar cheese baked in a creamy and delicious sauce for a comfort food recipe that the whole family will love.

From the recipe collection of Tara Ippolio

Easy Chicken tetrazzini truly is the ultimate cozy comfort dish. Its creamy, cheesy, and packed with tender pasta and pieces of juicy chicken all baked in a golden, bubbly top. It's the kind of nostalgic and satisfying casserole that fills the house with delicious aromas and brings everyone back for seconds. Even my two picky kinds can't get enough of this one. Plus, it's easy to make, family-friendly, freezer-friendly, and perfect for using up leftover chicken. It's giving weeknight dinner hero vibes all the way!

This isn't just any chicken tetrazzini recipe either. It's the one my mother's been making for over 40 years. It's creamy, cozy, and pure comfort on a plate. My siblings and I grew up on this stuff and now I get to share the recipe that's been loved in our family for decades. If you want a tried and true classic that never fails, this is the one.

Ingredients

Rotisserie Chicken- Shred the rotisserie chicken into bite sized pieces to make it easy to scoop up with a fork.
Spaghetti- Cook to al dente only. It will continue to cook while its in the oven and we still want it to hold its form.
Cream Of Mushroom Soup- A short cut secret to adding mushroomy, rich flavor and thick velvety texture without needing to make a roux.
Cream Of Chicken Soup- Adds a savory chicken flavor thats reinforced with the shredded chicken. A great addition to add even more creaminess to the dish.
Cheddar Cheese- Adds a salty and savory flavor. It also helps thicken the sauce.
Monetary Jack Cheese- Adds a mild, buttery flavor and really compliments the shredded chicken.
Cream Cheese- Be sure to let the cream cheese reach room temperature before using to ensure it blends evenly into the other ingredients.
Seasonings- Salt enhances the other ingredients and pulls out moisture. Black Pepper adds a gentle heat and balances the richness of the dish. Garlic Powder- Adds a savory depth of classic, cozy garlic flavor.
Chicken Stock- Adds and supports the already delicious chicken flavors of the dish and also keeps it from drying out while cooking.

How To Make It

Here are the instructions along with some personal helpful notes on the best way to execute this recipe. You'll also find the full ingredients list and instructions below in the recipe card.

Preheat the oven to 350.

Fist, add the spaghetti, shredded chicken, cheeses, chicken broth and soups in a large bowl. Season it with salt, pepper and garlic powder and stir everything together until it’s evenly combined.

NOTE: The "cream of" soups tend to be on the salty side. If you're sensative to salt, don't add any here.

Add the mixture to a 9x13" greased baking dish and smooth it out so that its flat and even. Add more shredded cheddar and monetary jack cheese to the top.

NOTE: Greasing the dish will help prevent the spaghetti from sticking and burning onto the sides. Just add a little cooking spray and that will do the trick.

Now, cover the baking dish with foil. Place it into the center rack of the oven for 25 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the sides are bubbly.

PRO TIP: Spray the foil with a little cooking spray before placing it down. This will prevent any cheese from sticking to it once the foil is removed.

Finally, let it cool slightly, garnish with parsley (optional) and enjoy!

PRO TIP: Make sure to let it rest for about 5 minutes before serving to let the sauce thicken and settle. You'll get cleaner scoops and the pasta has time to reabsorb all that flavor.

What To Serve This With

This easy chicken tetrazzini is a meal in an of itself. So, you don't really need to add much to it. A vegetable like Garlic Parmesan Roasted Broccoli or Frozen Green Beans would be perfect. Add a slice of Homemade Garlic Bread and you're good to go.

Can I Use Leftover Chicken?

Yes, you can absolutely use leftover chicken. This recipe is actually the perfect use for that. Just cube it up, and add it to the dish instead of the shredded rotisserie chicken. You'll need ahout 2-2.5 cups total.

Can This Be Made Ahead Of Time?

Yes, it sure can be. This recipe is actually a great make ahead dish. Just assemble the casserole as per the instructions, tightly cover it and place it in the fridge a day ahead of when you'd like to serve it. The pasta can absorb some of the sauce, if it looks a little dry, stir in about ¼ cup of chicken broth before placing it into the oven.

Storage

Let it cool completely then place it into air tight storage containers. It will last in the fridge for up to 3 days. This recipe freezes well, too. Just place the freezer safe air tight containers into the freezer for up to three months. Let it thaw in the fridge the night before reheating.